Envirothon

The Dominion Envirothon is a natural resources competition for high school students. Students who participate learn stewardship and management concepts and work to solve real and hypothetical environmental problems. The program is field-oriented, community based and gives students the opportunity to work with natural resource professionals.

Who makes up a team and what do they do?

Students work in teams of five, plus up to two alternates. Throughout the school year, students prepare to compete at the local level then qualify for the Area II competition. The top three teams from the Area competition move to the Dominion Envirothon competition. (the three teams must represent different SWCDs.)

At each level of competition, students are tested on their knowledge of natural resources — aquatics, forestry, soils and wildlife plus a current environmental issue that changes annually. Students visit five “in the field” test stations where written and hands on problem solving is required along with an oral presentation formulating a strategy for addressing the environmental problem. The events are competitive, but education is the bottom line.

Participants in the Envirothon program gain a deeper knowledge of the effect individual actions have on environmental problems, the interactions and inter-dependence of our environment, current environment issues, the agencies available to assist them in resource protection concerns and the need to become environmentally aware, action-oriented adults.

Previous participants in the Culpeper SWCD Envirothon program have attended and taught at environmental summer camps, worked paid internships with the SWCD and received college scholarships.

Are you interested in Envirothon?

If you would like to form or coach a team through your school, church, home school group, scout troop, etc. contact Stephanie DeNicola at stephanied@culpeperswcd.org.